Chapter 2: Alliance of Snake and Bird

Deep inside the underground prison of the Snake Clan, Mels and the others advanced, led by the jailer. Though the air was somewhat stale, they felt no difficulty breathing—only the prison’s peculiar stench unsettled the young lady Sha Luo. Fortunately, as they moved deeper, the foul odor gradually faded, apparently because the jailer had deliberately cleaned the surroundings for the Snake Clan king.

As they walked, Mels surveyed the prison and realized it was likely not built by the Snake Clan but rather a relic left behind by some unknown ancient civilization. The ancient murals adorning the surrounding walls alone proved this place had never been intended as a prison; after all, no ruler in the world would carve decorative murals in a dungeon to entertain prisoners.

After walking for about ten minutes, bright lights appeared in the distance. The jailer suddenly called out loudly, “Your Majesty, General Moka and four envoys from the Birdmen Clan have come to pay their respects.”

“Moka? Has the general also been betrayed, captured, and thrown in here by traitors?” an aged voice echoed immediately from afar.

“This humble general has failed to live up to Your Majesty’s expectations and was unable to rescue Your Majesty from peril. I beg for punishment.” Though all were prisoners, Moka still knelt halfway to apologize—demonstrating unwavering loyalty to the Snake Clan king.

“Ah, it is all due to my unfilial son’s actions. How could I blame a general of such loyalty and courage? Please rise.” As he spoke, an elderly Snake Clan king—his scales slightly faded, his expression weary—appeared before them, accompanied by two Snake Clan generals as robust as Moka.

After helping Moka to his feet, the once-glorious but now-fallen Snake Clan king turned his gaze to Mels and the others, observing them briefly before asking, “I take it these are humans from a distant continent? How did they become envoys for the Birdmen Clan?”

“Your Majesty is most perceptive. We’re impressed. The reason we became envoys for the Birdmen Clan is a long story…” Mels then recounted how they had arrived in the nearby seas aboard the Wind Ship and been captured by the Birdmen Clan.

“Heh, so that’s how it is. That old, half-bald parrot is truly cunning. Knowing full well that sending any Birdman to the Snake Clan would be a one-way trip, he used you humans as envoys instead. Sigh… I’ve wanted peace talks for a long time, but the lack of suitable envoys delayed any action. Originally, your arrival could have been a great achievement—but now, with the misfortune that has befallen our clan and me imprisoned here by my rebellious son, I am powerless. I had placed my hopes on a few generals, but that unfilial son struck first. It seems peace between our clans is as far off as ever.” The Snake Clan king sighed deeply.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my impertinence. I have a few questions I’d like to ask—if Your Majesty is willing to enlighten me?” After hearing the Snake Clan king’s words, Mels didn’t show disappointment but instead smiled slightly as he inquired.

“Heh, we’ll be living here for the rest of our lives—what isn’t there to say? Ask away.” The king replied.

“Your Majesty, I’d like to know why you desire peace. As far as I know, the Snake Clan has always sought to change its living environment, while the Birdmen Clan firmly refuses to cede the forest areas. Under such circumstances, are you still willing to pursue peace?” Mels asked.

“As you’ve traveled through our territory, you’ve seen the environment we live in. It’s true that in the swamps, we of the Snake Clan have the upper hand—but there are also many challenges we cannot overcome. For example, highly venomous insects are our greatest natural enemies. Moreover, over the past century, the swamp’s ecology has deteriorated, making it even harder to obtain food. The only way to change this situation is to relocate our clan to the more suitable forest areas. Although that forest is also one of the Birdmen Clan’s sources of food, we don’t intend to occupy it entirely—even half would alleviate our hardships.

To be honest, while the forest is nominally Birdmen territory, the ongoing war prevents them from accessing the resources and food they need there, let alone settling there. Rather than letting a vast forest go to waste in war, it would be far more valuable for both clans to share it equally. That’s why I want peace.

Additionally, in the centuries of war, both sides have suffered victories and defeats—but ultimately, it is the people of both clans who bear the brunt of the damage. For an issue that could be resolved peacefully, millions of lives have been lost in war—this is the height of folly. So, if a peace treaty could truly prevent war, I believe it would earn the support of both clans’ people.” The king spoke solemnly.

“Hmm! If that’s so, how did you end up trapped by the rebels? Do they not agree with your views?” Mels pressed sharply after hearing the Snake Clan king’s words.

Hearing Mels’ blunt questioning, Moka spoke up, “Human, mind your tone!” However, the Snake Clan king waved it off, saying, “Moka, it’s fine. His question is valid.” After stopping Moka, the king smiled at Mels and said, “You humans have ten fingers. Though each finger differs in length and function, can you say it’s fine to lose one? Our Snake Clan is the same. Though my son’s ideas and methods differ from mine, his ultimate goal is identical to mine.

As things stand, not only do the common folk doubt the possibility of peace talks, but even I am uncertain. However, we cannot delay any longer. Every day, countless lives are lost to the harsh swamp conditions. To change our clan’s living situation as soon as possible, if negotiations prove impossible, I’d also choose to fight it out.

Yet, the Crown Prince and the New Faction’s methods are too extreme. They are still young, easily influenced by their surroundings, and may become corrupted by power—losing sight of their original goals and prioritizing fame and glory. This is why I hesitate to pass the throne to the Crown Prince too soon. However, if peace talks could begin—or even be implemented immediately—all these radical youths would change their minds and see building a new homeland for the Snake Clan as their goal!”

“Very well. Then I have one last question: If you were to leave here, would you carry out a large-scale massacre of the Crown Prince and the radical members of the New Faction?” Mels nodded slightly before continuing.

“The Crown Prince is my son, and most members of the New Faction are young. Though their ideals differ from mine, they are not evil villains. If I ever leave this place, to facilitate peace talks, I would pursue and detain them for a time—releasing them only after negotiations conclude. As for massacres, in my decades of rule, such a thing has never occurred, and I certainly won’t commit such an atrocity in my twilight years.” The Snake Clan king replied candidly.

After hearing the Snake Clan king’s words, Mels finally showed a satisfied smile. He turned to the three youths beside him and said, “You’ve all heard it. This king is indeed someone we can negotiate with. Now, it’s up to you.”

“Boss, I’ve been waiting impatiently. The smell here is really awful.” Sol frowned as he spoke.

“Yeah, we’ll need a good bath to wash off this stench when we get back.” Sha Luo added with a look of disgust.

“Heh, I’m afraid I’ll only be useful with a Summoned Beast. As for fighting those Snake Clan warriors, I’ll have to leave that to you, boss.” Kaslo grinned slyly, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness.

“Alright, I’ll assign tasks now.” Seeing that everyone was on the same page, Mels declared loudly, “Sol, you and Kaslo are responsible for the Snake Clan king’s safety. Use any magic necessary when the time comes—but avoid large-scale destructive spells to minimize casualties. Sha Luo, you and I will act as the vanguard, securing weapons and clearing a path for them. As for Summoned Beasts, Sol, your Steel Ape must only appear after we reach the surface—or it’ll collapse these tunnels. Understood?” With everyone’s agreement, the small pre-battle meeting concluded.

“Human, do you really have a way to get everyone out of here? You should know, this is an ancient prison relic, and there are thousands of guards in the tunnels alone!” Moka asked Mels with concern.

“Heh, don’t worry. Since we made it here, we can certainly get out. To be honest, if it weren’t for meeting the king, we wouldn’t have surrendered so easily. Now, just protect the king and follow us. Once we break through to the surface, we’ll need the king to rally the troops and convince the resisting warriors to stand down.” Mels replied.

As soon as Mels finished speaking, the youths were ready for action, awaiting his final command. Seeing everyone prepared for battle, Mels stopped conversing with Moka and led the way toward the prison gate. With the jailer’s help, the bronze gate posed no obstacle.

Once the group filed through the bronze gate, Mels and Sha Luo exchanged a glance before darting like lightning into the underground tunnels. Just as the Snake Clan king and the others marveled at Mels’ incredible speed, faint sounds of impact echoed from the tunnels—and Mels and Sha Luo reappeared before them, now holding four swords and two spears.

After keeping two swords for themselves, Mels tossed the remaining weapons to Moka and said, “Take these to protect the king. We’ll clear the way ahead.” With that, Mels and Sha Luo charged back into the tunnels.

Though Mels and his companions moved swiftly, they were soon discovered by the numerous Snake Clan guards. As warning whistles sounded, hundreds of fully armed Imperial Guard soldiers began to appear in the tunnels, preparing to surround Mels and Sha Luo. Initially, Mels had held back to avoid excessive casualties that might hinder their mission—but now, with the Snake Clan king under their protection, he had no such reservations. With their martial skills and the advantage of the narrow tunnels, the Snake Clan warriors were no match for their assault. In moments, amid cries of pain, the Imperial Guard forces retreated in disarray—unable to mount any organized resistance.

Perhaps realizing they were no match for Mels and Sha Luo—or recognizing that the narrow tunnels negated their numerical advantage—the Snake Clan Imperial Guard troops withdrew like a receding tide at the sound of a long whistle, leaving no armed personnel behind to hinder Mels’ advance.

Seeing the Snake Clan’s reaction, Mels knew an ambush likely awaited them near the exit. Yet, confident in their abilities, he and Sha Luo pressed forward fearlessly—chasing the fleeing Snake Clan warriors straight toward the cave entrance.

By now, the current Snake Clan king—the Crown Prince from days before—had arrived near the cave entrance, his face pale with anger. The Imperial Guard soldiers gathered nearby had swelled to around three thousand, half of them armed with bows and arrows. Clearly, the Crown Prince was determined to shoot down Mels, the Snake Clan king, and everyone else.

As the guards from the cave continued to flee, the cold-faced Crown Prince slowly raised his hand. The moment he spotted enemies emerging from the cave, thousands of arrows would rain down like a storm. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince underestimated human capabilities. Mels and Sha Luo were far from foolish enough to charge out directly.

When they saw the light from the cave entrance, Mels and Sha Luo halted almost simultaneously. They began chanting summoning spells in unison. Blue and green light shot out from the cave, startling the Crown Prince. Mels’ green Flying Dragon, “Little One,” and Sha Luo’s Blue Witch, “Kaji,” burst forth from the cave.

Seeing these strange creatures appear, the shocked Crown Prince instinctively lowered his arm. Though the Snake Clan warriors were equally startled, they didn’t hesitate to loose their arrows. In an instant, a rain of arrows flew toward Little One and Kaji.

Though Summoned Beasts aren’t living creatures, their physical forms are still vulnerable to arrows. Thus, Little One and Kaji each used their abilities to create barriers around themselves—deflecting the arrow storm. Little One relied on his draconic aura, while Kaji employed defensive magic.

The Snake Clan Imperial Guard troops tasked with surrounding Mels and his companions were a well-trained, formidable force. Their archery techniques mirrored those of humans, using alternating volleys for maximum effect. However, faced with unknown creatures like Little One and Kaji, their shaken minds made them forget everything—firing their arrows frantically. Yet, their efforts were futile—the arrows scattered like pebbles against the protective barriers surrounding the two Summoned Beasts.

Firing all at once was indeed more powerful than alternating volleys—but once the first wave passed, the fatal flaw of this method became apparent. The Snake Clan warriors, hurriedly reloading their bows, lacked the time they needed. Seizing the opportunity, Little One and Kaji launched their own attacks on the Snake Clan troops. From a gap in the cave, Mels kept watch on the outside. Spotting the enemy’s critical vulnerability, he and Sha Luo shot out—accompanied by flames from Little One’s mouth and icy gleams from Kaji’s trident. The two human warriors descended like tigers among sheep, cutting through the ranks.

Even in human warfare, both sides must possess Summoned Beast forces of equal or similar strength to wage a balanced battle. Here, the Snake Clan warriors were clearly outmatched by the human fighters—and without forces capable of rivaling the Summoned Beasts, they stood no chance of containing Mels and his companions.

After Mels and Sha Luo’s onslaught, combined with the suppression from Little One and Kaji, the Snake Clan forces—numbering over three thousand—began to lose ground, their effective containment tactics crumbling. Just when things seemed dire for the Snake Clan troops, yellow light flared from the cave—heralding the arrival of the most devastating Summoned Beast on the battlefield.

Sol’s Steel Ape was a pure physical-attack powerhouse. Compared to Mels’ Little One and Sha Luo’s Kaji, it excelled in close-quarters combat. While Little One and Kaji could unleash powerful magical attacks to wipe out the Snake Clan forces instantly, Mels and Sha Luo restrained them from doing so. The Steel Ape, however, faced no such restrictions. Sol harbored none of Mels’ reservations, and the Steel Ape was impervious to blades and arrows—ignoring the spears and arrows hurled by the Snake Clan warriors. Its immense strength and speed were beyond what the Snake Clan troops could withstand.

Under the dominance of the three powerful Summoned Beasts, the tide of battle quickly turned in favor of Mels and his companions. The once-proud Snake Clan warriors began to scatter in all directions. As the saying goes, “A routed army collapses like a landslide.” On the battlefield, once one soldier flees, the contagion spreads rapidly.

Watching his soldiers flee, the Snake Clan Crown Prince realized his end was near. Yet, he was no coward. Even in the face of such a dire situation, he refused to abandon his land—or live as a traitor in exile.

As if steeling his resolve, the Crown Prince drew his sword, angrily cut down a fleeing soldier beside him, and fixed his bloodshot eyes on Mels—who was cutting through the ranks. Even knowing he was no match for Mels, he chose to face him in a final duel.

Mels had already considered ending the fight—as slaughter held no appeal for him. However, the murderous aura emanating from a tall, robust Snake Clan man caught his attention. This figure wore light golden leather armor, wielded a sword sharper than ordinary weapons, and—despite the chaos of a routed army—exuded an extraordinary presence that set him apart.

“Are you the Snake Clan Crown Prince?” Mels guessed, suddenly asking.

“……” The Crown Prince didn’t reply—merely glaring at Mels as if he wanted to devour him alive.

“Do you wish to fight me? Or kill me?” Mels raised his voice upon seeing the other’s stance.

This time, the Crown Prince could no longer remain silent. He charged forward a few steps and roared, “You monster! If not for you, I could have carried out my plans, avenged the humiliation our clan has suffered for centuries, and sent those despicable Birdmen to hell—securing fertile lands for our people! I will kill you—I must kill you!”

“Hmph, someone who only knows how to shout has no right to kill another! If you want to kill me, use your sword—not your mouth!” Mels suddenly shifted from his amiable tone, rebuking loudly. Hearing Mels’ words, the Crown Prince turned pale—as if stabbed through the heart. Deep down, he knew he was no match for Mels—but his resentment refused to accept defeat. Swinging his sword, the Crown Prince resolved to defend his dignity with his life. With a furious cry, he launched himself at Mels like lightning.

Among the Snake Clan, the Crown Prince’s martial skills might be considered decent—but before Mels, they were insignificant. Even surrounded by hundreds of Snake Clan warriors, Mels had never been in danger—let alone now, facing the Crown Prince alone. Mels effortlessly shifted his stance, evading the Crown Prince’s attack in an instant. Undeterred by his failed strike, the Crown Prince lunged again—continuing his assault.

If Mels hadn’t known the Crown Prince’s identity, he might have counterattacked immediately. But now, Mels merely dodged—unwilling to kill the Crown Prince outright. In his mind, a new plan was forming—he hoped to smooth the path for negotiations between the Snake Clan and the Birdmen Clan…

“In this world, not everything can be resolved by force. Sometimes, thinking calmly and giving both sides a chance to understand and empathize with each other can be more effective than using violence.” Mels spoke while evading the Crown Prince’s attacks.

Hearing Mels’ words, the Crown Prince—who had failed to land a single blow or even track Mels’ movements—roared in frustration, “What do you know! The centuries of suffering our clan has endured in the swamps, the hardships of securing food—how could an outsider like you possibly understand!”

“True, perhaps I don’t understand the suffering of your clan. But have you considered this: Even if you lead the Snake Clan to victory in a war against the Birdmen, what then? You might win now—you might gain the land you desire—but if the Birdmen defeat you one day and reclaim that land, won’t your clan suffer the same hardships all over again? However, if you lay down your weapons and try to understand each other—using peace to secure what both sides need—then the people of both the Snake Clan and the Birdmen Clan can find true happiness!” Mels argued.

Hearing Mels’ words, the Crown Prince trembled—as if动摇 in his convictions. The red glow in his eyes dimmed slightly—but his stubbornness forced him to howl, “Impossible! Birdmen are the most cunning creatures. There’s nothing to discuss with them—and peaceful coexistence is out of the question!”

“That’s entirely your subjective view. You don’t even give yourself a chance to think calmly—so how can you accept the other side? Crown Prince, think about it: How many of your people have already died in this war because of your beliefs? Do you want the entire Snake Clan to sacrifice their lives—and perish alongside the Birdmen—for your ideals?” Mels’ words hammered at the Crown Prince’s heart like a sledgehammer. Deep down, the Crown Prince knew war benefited neither side—but centuries of hostility couldn’t be undone by a few words from Mels. Moreover, even if he agreed with Mels’ reasoning, his pride wouldn’t allow him to yield. Observing the situation, the Snake Clan king spoke meaningfully, “My son, you have lost. A person capable of great deeds must know when to hold on—and when to let go! Mels is right—why can’t we sit down and talk with the Birdmen? As long as we hold fast to our beliefs, what harm is there in negotiating? If both sides can set aside their long-standing enmity, it will be a victory for us—and the Birdmen alike. If the Birdmen seek to take advantage of us—even I would never betray our clan!”

"Father, I..." the Snake Clan prince looked at his father, imprisoned in the dungeon and now much thinner, and muttered, bewildered.

"Enough. No more needs to be said. Have your soldiers lay down their weapons and tend to the wounded. Let us give the Birdmen Clan a chance, and ourselves a chance, to see if we can welcome a new world," said the Snake Clan king.

The internal strife within the Snake Clan finally subsided with the arrival of Mels and the others. True to his promise to Mels, the Snake Clan king did not pursue the rebellion of the prince and the new faction at all. After about three days of post-conflict arrangements, the Snake Clan and the Birdmen Clan finally decided to hold a meeting between their highest ruling classes on the shared border.

Due to the millennia-long hostility between the two clans, the talks were very difficult at first. However, as the discussions deepened and with both sides' joint efforts, a breakthrough was finally made. After more than ten days of negotiation, the Birdmen Clan agreed to cede half of the border forest to the Snake Clan, and the Snake Clan agreed to provide the Birdmen Clan with an annual quota of specialty goods. Subsequently, the two sides signed a series of agreements, which included not only various policies to strengthen inter-clan exchanges but also practical measures such as jointly developing the forest and leveraging their different manufacturing skills to create new products.

Watching the successful conclusion of the inter-clan talks he had personally facilitated, Mels was filled with indescribable pride. Although he knew these talks could not truly resolve the clans' millennia-old conflicts, he understood that this was a new beginning—the start of a lasting peace between them.

With the matters between the Snake Clan and the Birdmen Clan resolved, Mels and the others prepared to continue their journey. After all, unexpected events had already cost them a month on this continent. While they still had ample time to reach the Federal Continent, no one could guarantee the rest of the journey would be free of surprises. Therefore, after returning to the Birdmen Clan's settlement with the Parrot Emperor, Mels immediately requested the return of their Wind Ship to set sail again.

This time, the Parrot Emperor did not give Mels any more trouble and agreed to hand over the Wind Ship immediately. However, just as Mels and the others were preparing to set sail, unexpected circumstances once again appeared before them...